Weather trend: Changeable outlook for Easter and beyond, though with some improvements likely

Low pressure systems are likely to remain influential over the Easter weekend, but it's not all doom and gloom as dry and bright spells are expected as well.

An Easter washout after weeks of dry and warm weather probably wouldn't have surprised anyone familiar with British and Irish spring weather, but it's not as bad as it seems.

That being said, a complex low pressure system will bring a lot of cloud and frequent outbreaks of rain to start the weekend, with the heaviest and most persistent rain expected to affect the island of Ireland.

Up to 60mm of rain could affect some western and southern parts in particular through Sunday, perhaps leading to some localised flooding issues.

Meanwhile further east, many parts of the UK will also see some rain or showers at times on Saturday and Easter Sunday.

However, dry and bright intervals are likely as well, more particularly across eastern and central parts of England, perhaps spreading into Scotland as well.

As we head into the next week, weather fronts are likely to remain nearby, with further outbreaks of rain or showers at times, these perhaps heavy and thundery across the southern half of the UK as well.

There will be scope for sunnier periods, too, however, and drier air may eventually filter into the north and east as high pressure builds just to our north from Wednesday.

Whether or not this drier and brighter weather eventually reaches the far south and southeast is questionable at this stage and will depend on the influence of low pressure over the near continent.

Temperatures are likely to remain near normal for the time of year, so expect typical April values broadly between 11 and 17C depending on your exact location.

While overnight lows won't be particularly low, there may be some rural frost in any clear spells later next week.